Dozens of people lined up to speak for and against the proposed animal control ordinance: the most controversial provision -mandatory spay neuter of dogs and cats, with a few exceptions, and a 70 dollar required breeder's permit. Dallas dog owner Sherry Talton warned against mandatory spay-neuter won't work.

Talton: If you're concerned about loose dogs, this ordinance is not going to solve it unless we put out money where our mouth is and enforce the laws that we have and give the Animal Control the budget that they need to solve this problem.

Kathleen Moore called for a YES vote.

Moore: By enforcing a mandatory spay neuter law we are teaching compassion. We are teaching respect, responsibility and empathy.

The new rules for dogs, cats and owners passed on a 10-3 vote - with council members demanding a detailed plan of HOW Animal Control plans to enforce the new rules.

The Dallas City Council has passed an ordinance by 10-3 which will introduce stricter rules for pet owners, including:

• tougher spay/neuter regulations

• limitations on the number of pets in one home

• a ban on tethering dogs to trees or posts except in limited cases

The majority of council members hailed the changes to the city’s animal ordinance as an important step toward reducing the tens of thousands of stray animals roaming city streets and improving quality of life for pets.

"It's the first step in trying to solve a complex problem that has been going on for a long time," Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia said. "We all agree it's time to do something."